We currently have 15 cheetah at our project, as well as 3 rescued lions, caracals, servals and meerkats. In April 2016 we rescued 3 lion cubs from the canned hunting industry. They were only 3 weeks old and was part of the trophy hunting industry. They were kept in a small wire crate. Luckily we could intervene and rescue them from a certain death. They have grown into beautiful big lions now and we will offer them a forever home, where they will be protected from the cruel hunting and exploiting industry.
New mother abigail and her two precious cubs:
Mom Abi and her two busy cubs had a wonderful walk with us and our volunteers in the bush. For the first time we allowed Abi to walk with us without her leash on. The harness had to stay on to enable us to clip on the leash in case of emergency, for instance if she decides to stalk and hunt some of the dangerous bigger antelope, zebra or giraffes in the vicinity. Remember that Abi has a slight limb and hip disability and therefore hunting could be fatal for this beautiful mother. But it didnt bother her as she explored so much, yet stayed close to us and her cubs. Listen to her heartwarming communicating sounds she made when her cubs wondered off too far and when she herself explored a bit further than she would normally be from her cubs. Cheetahs are not good tree climbers but that wouldnt stop them from climbing. Abi was a bit nervous when one of her cubs climbed a bit too high, but luckily she showed trust and confidence, more than what I could say of myself...
They had a short rest under the trees but the cubs were not eager to give up their playtime in the bush and mom had to keep up again!
It is so amazing and satisfying to see Abi and her cubs getting the opportunities that almost all cubs in captivity would sadly never experience.
We count off the days till the next walk to see these incredible cats having fun in the bush! We try to take them out 2 or 3 times per week, depending on the weather and our schedules although we try to prioritize their outings for obvious reasons! Click on photo for Facebook video
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More information to follow soon!
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Born on the 7th May 2018, 2 beautiful cubs were born, a boy and a girl. They will be raised by Shadow herself and will be also released when mature and have been rewilded and de-humanized successfully!
2 Cubs born in mid 2016 from Shadow & Mikka. They were raised by their mother until they were 18 months old. She did a wonderful job of raising them into beautiful and healthy cheetahs.
Rescued by team Running Wild from the canned hunting industry. They were born in March 2016, and will have a forever home with Running Wild Conservation.
Born on the 7th May 2018, 2 beautiful cubs were born, a boy and a girl. They will be raised by Shadow herself and will be also released when mature and have been rewilded and de-humanized successfully!
Our Rescued Lions
While out searching for a game farm to purchase for our project, we came across 3 little lion cubs. Bred for the bullet. A commodity. Cute breathing little dollars. In a small little cage. Big, shiny innocent eyes staring at us. Paws trying to push through the wire cage. Trying to get to me. A third one was sleeping, mobility in the cage is limited. What struck me was the fact that they were content. They didnt expect any better. They didnt demand freedom. They didnt demand to be outside in the sun. They were content because they trusted. Two weeks ago they lost their mom, alive. The mom is still alive. 3 Weeks after giving birth, she is already busy mating. She is the proverbial golden goose. She satisfies the hunters. She satisfies the lion male. Everyone is happy except her. She is still mourning the loss of her latest litter. Hoping that after this mating she might get the opportunity to be a real lion mom. Caring for her young, protecting them from the outside world, teaching them to be brave, to be social animals, to share, to respect, to groom, to stalk, to hunt and ultimately to kill.
Needless to say, we were not interested in buying this game farm for various reasons. I can still picture the adult and sub adult lions running towards the electrified fence to greet us with loving trust. Oblivious to their final cruel destiny. Canned lion hunting will claim another poor soul. Soon another pathetic hunter will cowardly shoot his trophy to prove his manliness. Manlessness is more descriptive. The trusting big mane's hourglass would run empty. The pain of the ultimate deception will remain forever in his glassy eyes. We left.
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But I left something behind. Something that looked straight into my soul. Something that made me feel ashamed of being a human. I took the guilt on me. I had to undo some of the injustice. We have to change the industry. We have to stop the hunter. The demanders. The suppliers will keep supplying as long as there is a demand. We cant go and rescue all the cubs bred for canned hunting. Unfortunately not. But those beautiful eyes will haunt me forever. They could read my soul. I read their silent S.O.S. masked by contentment.
April 2016.... "Today, in just 7 days, we have raised all the funds, (we have amazing people believing in our cause, so we raised the money in only 5 hours!) we payed for them, and have their permits in our hands. We rescued 3 little lion cubs from a certain death. Theír destiny was written on óur wall. We are content for now. But somewhere hidden deep inside, guilt and regret for not rescuing the others! "
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Stay in touch for more pictures and videos of the 3 cubs. Their story will have many chapters....
